Strategies for Staying Safe on Walks and Hikes

In Massachusetts there is a state wide leash law, however, the state allows municipalities to define their own leash laws either in the city/town ordinances, or their by-laws. It is up to the individual municipality to then enforce these rules. The town in which I live hasbylaws,and within those by laws it states pretty clearly what the expectation is when it comes to havingcontrol over your dog.

And our Conservation Commission has clearly published usage rules of their various properties that also speaks to dogs:Pets must be leashed in accordance with Norton’s Leash Law.The trouble is, when you are in the middle of the woods hiking a trail, who is going to enforce this? These laws/rules, like many others, are there with the expectation that the individuals will follow them. But people break more important laws and rules every day, and go to jail for it. So let’s be realistic, this is a leash law, not an arrestable offense if you break it. Many times I have encountered off leash dogs while on conservation land. From the most heavily traveled open spaces, to the most remote places 2-3 miles into the woods. Having an unknown dog (friendly or not), coming at you full bore is unnerving; and if your dog happens to be fearful, reactive or have a seizure disorder, this type of encounter can turn into an experience that could end up at an animal emergency center. So what can you do when you experience such dogs and their humans? Be prepared!INTERRUPT THE BEHAVIOR: ·

Always carry pockets full of tiny training treats or kibble to throw toward the approaching dog (and as far away from you as you can in the direction of the owner). Those few seconds the dog is gobbling up the tasty morsels you just threw, is your golden opportunity to make a U-turn and get outta’ there!

Carry a tennis ball in your pocket and throw it for the unknown dog in the direction of the owner, thus sending him back to get leashed up.

Carry a small pocket umbrella and open in the direction of the approaching dog, this works best if the dog is close. This will likely startle the approaching dog and they will back up or maybe even run away, it also works as a physical and sight line barrier between both dogs.

Sometimes just simply yelling at the unknown dog will be enough to stop them in their tracks.

Carry an athletic whistle. One quick chirp should be enough to stop the approaching dog. (Be sure to desensitize your dog to the whistle first before using this strategy).

Carry a small athletic air horn. THIS IS A LAST RESORT. Using this could potentially damage your own dog emotionally and create a reactivity issue where there wasn’t one before, in either dog.

Last but certainly not least, use your head. If you have a reactive dog, don’t be putting them in situations that could potentially make them uncomfortable or set them up for a dangerous encounter. Be aware of your surroundings, listen for the jingling of dog tags and work with your dog on replacement behaviors.